attire

[uh-tahyuhr]

verb (used with object)

attired, attiring 

1. to dress, array, or adorn, especially for special occasions, ceremonials, etc.

noun

1. clothes or apparel, especially rich or splendid garments.

2. the horns of a deer.

attire

/ əˈtaɪə /

verb

1. (tr) to dress, esp in fine elegant clothes; array

noun

1. clothes or garments, esp if fine or decorative

2. the antlers of a mature male deer

Other Word Forms

• reattire verb (used with object)
• unattired adjective
• well-attired adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of attire¹

1250–1300; (v.) Middle English atiren < Anglo-French atirer, Old French atirier, verbal derivative of a tire into a row or rank ( a- ³, tier ¹ ); (noun) Middle English atir < Anglo-French, noun derivative of the v.

Word History and Origins

Origin of attire¹

C13: from Old French atirier to put in order, from tire row; see _tier ¹

Example Sentences

The series of photos included the couple, in their wedding attire, lounging on a white sofa and a close-up shot of their left hands with the wedding rings that now adorn them.

From Los Angeles Times

Keanu Reeves and Alexandra Grant are all smiles in wedding attire as they flaunt matching rings signaling the start of a new chapter — or at least that’s what one recently viral AI photo depicts.

From Los Angeles Times

Michael Urie on his attire: “I want to be taken seriously, but I want to be queer and I want to be comfortable. I want it to be a lewk.”

From Los Angeles Times

Some 1,400 Catholics donning rainbow attire and carrying crosses are taking part in the first officially recognised LGBTQ+ pilgrimage to Rome as part of the Vatican's Jubilee Year.

From BBC

The health secretary’s questionable workout attire caught the eye of social media users last month, when he shared a photo of himself and his son at the summit of Arizona’s Camelback Mountain.

From Salon

Related Words

• apparel 
• clothes 
• costume 
• dress 
• garb 
• getup 
• habit 
• uniform 
• vestment